I say we pick up a few offensive lineman in FA and then we can focus on the defensive backfield in the draft....thoughts?

Secondly why do we never bring in a marquis FA? We are so close to becoming a complete team.

Do we have serious salary cap concerns?

Let's assume that we let Ike go and franchise Wood.

2011 NFL Free Agent Offensive LinemenBy: Roshan Bhagat

Tyson Clabo (ATL) – Clabo has formed one half of Atlanta’s dominant run-blocking right side. He’s a nasty, physical run blocking tackle who has developed into a steady pass blocker as well. Though the Falcons have several key components of their offensive line set to hit free agency this offseason, none will be more important than ensuring that Ryan stays upright than Clabo. Entering the league as an undrafted free agent, Clabo will be set to strike a lucrative deal.

Doug Free (DAL) – After parting ways with lifelong Cowboy, Flozell Adams, the Cowboys may have found their left tackle for the next decade in Doug Free. He isn’t quite the same run blocker, but he’s proven to be a significant upgrade in pass protection over what Adams has been the last several years. Free has 7 false starts this year, but has also only allowed 5 sacks. If he can clean up the mental problems, he should be a great blindside pass protector for many years in Dallas.

Jared Gaither (BAL) – Though rumors last offseason had Jared Gaither on the trade block, Gaither has proclaimed his desire to return to the Ravens next season. A back injury sidelined him for the entirety of this season and allowed Michael Oher to move into left tackle, where he’ll likely settle in. The injury may potentially allow the Ravens to pay Gaither as a right tackle, increasing the likelihood the organization brings him back.

Jammal Brown (WAS) – With rookie Trent Williams playing the left side, Jammal Brown has started on the right side for the first time since his rookie year. He struggled early in the season as he recovered from injury, but has since turned around his play. He’s a far cry from where he was in his prime, but the Redskins have had success running the ball behind him. The organization hasn’t shied away from spending money on players, but they could get a bargain in Brown, if he continues his upward ascension from injury.

Matt Light (NE) – Light will be 33 next season and coming off his worst season in several years giving up double digit sacks on the left side. 2nd year right tackle Sebastian Vollmer is coming off an All-Pro caliber season at right tackle and has proven capable of stonewalling pass rushers from the left side as well. The aging Matt Light finally seems expendable after giving Tom Brady nearly a decade of great protection.

Jermon Bushrod (NO) – Bushrod hasn’t been nearly as effective at left tackle this season as he was as a fill-in for Jammal Brown a season ago. He’s been average in both pass protection and run-blocking and has 6 false start penalties as well. With offensive guard Carl Nicks set to hit free agency as well, the Saints will likely worry more about their Pro Bowl caliber left guard before getting to Bushrod, especially if they believe Charles Brown is the eventual left tackle for the offense.

Willie Colon (PIT) – Colon had started 50 consecutive games for the Steelers at right tackle with improvement each year before missing all of 2010 with a torn Achilles. He was the team’s best blocker in 2009 and has surprisingly traveled with the organization for each of their games. With an offensive line that has been decimated by injury, the reunion of Colon and Pittsburgh in 2011 seems likely.

Carl Nicks (NO) – Both Jahri Evans and Nicks made it to the Pro Bowl this year, but it was Nicks who had the better season. The Saints run game was best when backs ran it up the middle and over left tackle, both partially attributed to Nicks’ success. The organization also just recently made Jahri Evans the league’s highest paid guard so it’ll be interesting to see if New Orleans also has the highest offer on the table for Nicks if he becomes an unrestricted free agent. They also have Bushrod and Jonathan Goodwin becoming free agents, so if they re-sign Nicks, it almost definitely will mean letting go of Bushrod at left tackle.

Logan Mankins (NE) – The return of Logan Mankins has reinstalled some more nasty into the offensive line and bolstered protection for Tom Brady who has been able to sit back in the pocket and not force throws. With his return, the Patriots have sustained success in the run game with Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead, an unlikely tandem. Though he isn’t playing at quite the same level he was the past three seasons, Mankins continues to be one of the top guards in the league and will be handsomely rewarded this offseason.

Davin Joseph (TB) – Davin Joseph was playing terrific football for the Buccaneers before he fractured his foot in November, sending him to the IR. He’s an excellent run blocker and a good pass blocker, who will one of the top guards if the Buccaneers allow him to reach free agency. Don’t expect them to just let their best offensive linemen go without a fight though.

Harvey Dahl (ATL) – Ask opposing players who have faced Harvey Dahl and they’ll tell you that the right guard brings some extra nasty with him every week. He and Clabo combine to form a physical, dominant right side for the Atlanta Falcons, which allows the offense to control the line of scrimmage. Expect both to re-sign in Atlanta.

Ryan Kalil (CAR) – The Panthers have an uphill battle to return to the playoffs and seemingly have holes at nearly every position. However, center is not one of them, with Ryan Kalil playing consistently good football for them for the entirety of his rookie contract. Re-signing Kalil is the biggest no-brainer the Panthers have this year outside of drafting Andrew Luck if he decides to come out. Just don’t expect the team to use the franchise tag on him as offensive linemen are grouped together for the tag values, which means he’d be making the money of an offensive tackle.

Daryn Colledge (GB) – Colledge has been a bit up and down this season. The Packers have struggled to run the ball with any semblance of consistency and some of that can be attributed to the offensive line. Colledge isn’t able to move defenders off the ball with regularity, but is pretty good in pass protection. With TJ Lang and several other potential prospects vying for left guard, the Packers may not have the money to commit to Colledge after they negotiate with more pivotal free agents.

Champ Bailey (DEN) – With the Broncos in a period of transition, this may very well be Champ Bailey’s final season in Denver. While injuries have lessened his effectiveness the last couple years, he returned to form this season to stay among the league’s 5 best corners. There have been no talks of a contract extension so far, but Champ remains committed to returning to the Broncos if the interest is mutual.

Nnamdi Asomugha (OAK) – It should say something about the importance of statistics when a player can have an All-Pro season, yet not achieve minimal performance marks, which renders the rest of his contract null and void. The Raiders are unable to place the franchise tag on Asomugha, making the league’s best corner the prize of free agency. There’s some buzz that he wants to go to a Super Bowl contender such as the Jets or Packers (where he has ties with Woodson). The Packers seem like an unlikely destination given their strong, highly paid secondary and the Jets may want to pursue him, but that would leave holes in their roster elsewhere. This will be the most exciting story to follow this offseason.

Brent Grimes (ATL) – Grimes had a fantastic season for an improved Falcons defense. Going into the final week, he’s one back of the leader in deflected passes. As an undrafted player, he’s worked his way and improved each season to become one of the league’s better corners now. With the secondary struggles in Atlanta over the past few years, they’ll show their appreciation for Grimes in the offseason.

Carlos Rogers (WAS) – Rogers has been a solid cover corner for years now and one of the leaders in Washington’s secondary. Still, I’ve never seen anyone in the league with worse hands than Rogers. An average set of hands would have allowed him at least a couple more picks per season and that’s why he doesn’t generally get the credit he deserves. Some Redskins fans will cringe if the Redskins bring him back, but in reality, they could do much worse from a starting corner.

Johnathan Joseph (CIN) – The Bengals’ corners awakened in 2009 to help lead a good pass defense, but 2010 turned out to be a different story. Both Joseph and Hall regressed and the results in the Bengals secondary showed. Joseph is physical and aggressive and good in any scheme. If the Bengals do hit him with the franchise tag, Joseph has said he’ll sign it on the first day, though he’s holding out hope that the two sides can reach a deal before that point.

Ronde Barber (TB) – Though Barber and the Buccaneers haven’t discussed a new contract, he’s returned to playing at a high level and Coach Raheem Morris has given Barber plenty of praise asking him to return to the team in 2011. It should just be a matter of getting the business side sorted out if Barber decides he wants to continue playing.

Antonio Cromartie (NYJ) – Cromartie is one of several big names hitting the market this year for the Jets. He hasn’t panned out as the elite playmaker many media outlets expected he would opposite Darrelle Revis, but he has given the Jets some flexibility at cornerback. Cromartie’s stiffness and long strides makes him an ideal candidate to be victimized by smaller, elite route running receivers, but he’s effective defending down the field. Because Kyle Wilson hasn’t lived up to expectations, the Jets may look to re-sign him with more urgency.

Ike Taylor (PIT) – Ike Taylor has been the lone, consistent cornerback for the Steelers over the past 5+ years. His ability to shadow receivers effectively and come up in run support has allowed the Steelers to do a little more creatively up front. With a lack of depth behind him, it would be surprising to see the Steelers let Ike Taylor to leave, even though he has lost a step.

Richard Marshall (CAR) – Marshall has been okay in coverage over the years, but good in run support. He won’t be at the top of the Panthers priority list, but if they do offer him a fair long-term deal, Marshall is ready to sign immediately.

Quintin Mikell (PHI) – It looks like the Eagles will be set at safety if they can re-sign Quintin Mikell at strong safety next to rookie Nate Allen at free safety. Mikell hasn’t been as impressive this season as last, but is still one of the league’s better starting strong safeties. The Eagles secondary has struggled this year and will look to bring back one of their most consistent pieces in the back end.

Roman Harper (NO) – The Saints feel they have something going in the secondary and their top 10 defense reflects just that. The entire defense was snubbed from the Pro Bowl, but the tandem of Malcolm Jenkins and Roman Harper at safety is about as good as it gets. Jenkins, a converted corner, has developed into a fine coverage safety, while Roman Harper is a great hitter and tough in run support. Aside from reinvesting in their offensive line, Harper will be one of the team’s highest priorities this season.

Eric Weddle (SD) – Though Weddle hasn’t made too many impact plays this season, he’s been a great emerging player for them in the secondary. He’s a well-rounded player—which stems back from his days at Utah—who can play both the run and pass effectively. The Chargers have several expiring contracts, primarily on offense, but re-signing Weddle defensively seems like a solid logical bet.

Dawan Landry (BAL) – Dawan Landry is having a bounce back season after a pair of disappointing ones in coverage. The Ravens had high expectations following a superb rookie season, but had been beaten over the top too often the next two years. Though he hasn’t made as many impact plays as his rookie year, or even last season, Landry has been far more consistent and is building off of his career high in tackles.

Tanard Jackson (TB) – Jackson is an impressive young safety on the football field and figured to be a difference maker for the Buccaneers early this season. However, after the 2nd game, he was suspended indefinitely for his 3rd violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. The Buccaneers are standing behind him, but it comes as a big disappointment. He won’t be eligible to be reinstated until September 22, 2011, making him a big gamble for whoever looks to retain his services.

Bernard Pollard (HOU) – The Texans had reason to be ecstatic over their free agent signing of 2009, who immensely improved the team’s run defense. This year has brought a different tune and shown why Pollard was cut from the Chiefs last year to begin with. While he’s still strong in run support, he’s been victimized more than any other Texan for touchdowns this season. His lousy pass defense is further accentuated by poor cornerback play. Pollard is a marginal safety, but can be a decent fill-in for a team with an already strong secondary, something the Texans cannot claim to have.

Atari Bigby (GB) – Bigby has plenty of potential as a safety, but also embodies the definition of injury-prone. Rookie Morgan Burnett was playing well before his season-ending injury and Charlie Peprah has been more than adequate as his replacement. Peprah’s also a free agent, but should be a cheaper alternative to the hard-hitting Bigby.

I would be very surprised if they go OL early (i.e. first two or three rounds), particularly OT. I don't agree with it because you can almost never have too many quality linemen, but with how things have played out, I think they focus on other areas.

I think with the way backups like Scott and Foster performed, I'd bet that they're perfectly content with getting Starks and Colon back and keeping the former as backups. Of course, this is assuming that Colon and Scott actually come back and Adams can be kept on the cheap. Maybe they consider moving Colon over and keeping Adams on the outside, but I doubt it. I think that's just a MGS pipe dream. If they haven't done it to date, don't see them doing it at this stage.

Personally, I could see them targeting the secondary as a whole (CB, S) and trying to bolster the middle of the defense (ILB, NT), with wildcards being a versatile IOL or WR, if someone slips.

The secondary issues are well documented. Corner and safety need help. After that, they need to find replacements for Hampton and Farrior. Sooner or later, it's gonna happen. And, when it does, it'll be immediately felt. Be prepared and ready to fill those vital parts of the defense.

Edit: Or, just sign Asomugha and the corner problem is fixed. *smirk* Wish they'd get the labor issues out of the way so we wouldn't have to worry about not having football altogether in 2011....

Why not. Him with Ike would be great and if we lose Ike, we almost have to do it. There's no one else on the roster that can start IMO and the chance of a draft pick stepping in on day 1 is very low.

Well, I'd love it, but there's the huge obstacle of the truckload of green that Asomugha will command...which was the main reason for my *smirk*.

Corners are one of the priciest FA puzzle pieces along with OTs and the primary offensive skill positions. A team is usually best served drafting to fill these positions. Now, add to that the fact that he's arguably the best at that position...well, I just don't see Pittsburgh getting involved in that high priced auction. In this era of FA, I don't think Pittsburgh has ever signed a top flight FA (i.e. the best FA available at his position). They're usually rummaging around in the bargain bin.

Very curious to see how this plays out and who will cave. Could easily see a work stoppage for '11.

The NFLPA was far and away the weakest of the pro sports unions while under the stewardship (!) of Upshaw. This new guy is supposed to be a bulldog though, so I guess comes down to whether or not the owners wanna ruin the NFL's momentum. No competition, it's the biggest sport in the US market by a mile. What will hurt worse, missing a season and taking that *HUGE* PR hit or not getting every little thing you want, letting the players have a little something and moving forward?

I'd say the ball is in the owner's court and if there's a stoppage, it's them to blame. Hard to figure how it'll play out. No doubt, they have the resources to sit it out but at what cost?

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